Ahead of the governorship election in Edo State, the All Progressives Congress, a major political party in Edo state, has addressed a formal petition to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The APC is urging the IGP to prevent the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, from allegedly using the State Police Command to arrest the party’s state chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, on what they claim are fabricated charges.
The petition, dated June 13 and titled “A Case of Executive Intimidation, Political Harassment, and Baseless Accusation by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki,” outlines serious allegations against the governor. Jarrett Tenebe, the APC’s state chairman, claims that there are plans to arrest him on the forthcoming Friday, coinciding with the APC’s inauguration of its State Governorship Campaign Council.
In the petition, Tenebe asserts, “I am the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Edo state chapter and have the honour and privilege to bring to your attention the high level of intimidation and harassment been orchestrated by the Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki.”
Tenebe’s statement highlights concerns about the misuse of power and suppression of political opposition, citing the Freedom of Information Act to emphasize that questioning government policies is a fundamental right. He accuses Governor Obaseki of being intolerant of any opposition, stating, “Edo state governor does not see to the effectiveness of any opposition to his government policies. To make good his threat of strangulating any opposition, he deploys all forms of security apparatus within the state both conventional and self-created, to carry out his vindictiveness.”
The petition further details that Governor Obaseki has allegedly vowed to deal harshly with any dissenters during the election period, deploying the police to intimidate and arrest political opponents. Tenebe recounts being informed of a police invitation to discuss a petition purportedly written by the governor. He expresses concern over a potential police siege at the APC secretariat during their campaign council inauguration, with the intention of arresting him.
Tenebe appeals for intervention from the IGP, stating, “I thereby solicit your timely intervention by transferring the said case, if any, to your office for a discreet investigation.”
Copies of the petition have also been sent to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations and the need for broader oversight.
This development adds a layer of complexity to the political climate in Edo State, highlighting the intense rivalry and the stakes involved in the forthcoming election.
